CHAIRMAN CARDIN MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER DJUKANOVIC

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) released the following statement after hosting a meeting today with Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic of Montenegro.

"Prime Minister Djukanovic and I had a positive meeting on a range of bilateral issues. Montenegro is moving closer to NATO and EU membership. I believe that Montenegro is committed to the path of Euro-Atlantic integration and will take the further steps necessary to make that a reality. The Helsinki Commission will continue to encourage those efforts.

"The Commission has for many years supported reform in Montenegro, especially in areas like combating human trafficking. We are pleased with the progress Montenegro has achieved, particularly since independence in 2006, but we hope reforms will continue.

“We discussed the situation in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has deteriorated in recent years. Prime Minister Djukanovic and I share the view that the territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina must be respected. We also believe that the United States needs to remain actively engaged in the country and the Western Balkans more broadly until all countries of the region are on a clear track to join NATO and/or the EU.”